The COVID-19 Paid Leave Tax Credit provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for leave-related to COVID-19. (More info available on IRS.gov)

Some of the key expansion changes include the following:

• Extends the tax credits time window from March 31 to September 30
• Increases the total amount of wages an employer can claim for credit in a year from $10,000 to $12,000 per employee
• Expands the purposes allowed for longer-term paid family leave to match all of the purposes for shorter-term paid sick leave
• Allows credits for an employee who is receiving a vaccination or recovering from its side effects
• Prevents employers from claiming the credit if they make leave available in a manner that discriminates in favor of highly compensated employees, full time employees, or based on employment tenure with the employer
• Resets the clock on March 31, 2021 so that anyone who took leave in the past year can take leave again
• Allows access to the credits for state and local governments, as well as Federal governmental instrumentalities, that are tax-exempt 501(c)(1) organizations

Our question is: Have you seen a decline or increase in foot traffic in-store over the last month? Have you noticed any other new consumer trends that are impacting your business?

We would like to hear from the business owners in our community. Will you be applying for PPP this week? Whether you have already applied or are planning to apply, we want to hear how your experience has been. Please share why the PPP will help your business and why continued support for small businesses is so critical as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In case you missed it, Small Business Majority is working on a Small Business Holiday Gift Guide. If you would like to be featured in the holiday guide, follow the link here. The full guide will be posted next week on our website!

The purpose of this survey is to provide vital information to policymakers who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. The survey takes about 10 minutes and highlights the experiences of small businesses and provides critical information that service providers, policymakers and lenders use to improve programs for small business owners.

Take the survey here!

All survey responses are confidential.

Community Discussion:

After completing the survey, if you have any feedback about the questions asked or would like to start a conversation around the impact of the survey, please let us know in the comments!

For those interested in watching the debate online, you can view it on PBS by clicking this link here.

Disclaimer: Please note that Small Business Majority is a 501(c)(3) organization. For election purposes, this means Small Business Majority does NOT directly or indirectly participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.

Question:

During tonight's presidential debate, many of the issues discussed will likely focus on COVID-19 and the U.S. economy as a whole. With small businesses playing an enormous role in both of those topics, what issues or questions do you want to hear addressed on the stage tonight?

Do you have any best tax practices that are missing from the article? Do you have any experience with the tax-saving moves discussed in the article? Let the community know!

5 Year-End Tax Moves For Small Business Owners

Forbes
December 3, 2019
While tax season may be months away, December 31st will be here before you know it. The fourth quarter is the time for some proactive tax planning to lower your 2019 tax bill. With extensions, you may be able to delay filing your 2019 taxes until late 2020. However, many tax-saving moves need to be made before the end of the year.

Do you have any experience dealing with the HR issues discussed here? Let the community know!

HR Compliance Challenges Small Businesses Face Today

Business.com
November 18, 2019
There are many regulations imposed on small businesses. Once you start hiring employees, you will need to abide by these ever-changing laws. Not only do you have to keep your finger on the pulse of federal agencies' requirements, but you must also track changes at the state and local levels. Keep reading to learn about eight evolving employment and HR compliance regulations you'll need to monitor.

This story highlights how there are predatory lenders out there who target small business owners in need of capital without disclosing the true cost of the financing in their offers and contracts and who mask extremely high-interest rates. Have you ever been targeted by predatory lenders or acquired financing with predatory loan terms? Let the community know!

Predatory lending cripples business half a lifetime in the making

Small Business Majority
November 6, 2019
While many 13-year-olds dream of becoming firefighters or football players, 13-year-old Johnathon Bush not only dreamed of being an entrepreneur but was already becoming one. While growing up in Toledo, Ohio, he realized the only way he could make money at a young age was through entrepreneurship, so he started baking cookies and selling them to friends and family. But, his bake sales evolved into something bigger than his middle school self could have expected.

Do you agree with legislation that would create a national paid family leave policy? Share your thoughts on this important issue for small business owners!

FAMILY Act Continues To Build Momentum

WAMC Northeast Public Radio
October 8, 2019
Gillibrand has been pressing the issue for years. In April 2015 in Troy, Gillibrand cited a different poll conducted by the Small Business Majority, which found 6 in 10 entrepreneurs in New York state supported a publicly administered family and medical leave program.

Do you have any tips for other business owners out there on ways to manage time as a small business owner? Share your experiences and thoughts on this issue to help other small business owners who might be feeling overwhelmed!

Time Management Techniques For Small Business Owners

Forbes
September 11, 2019
Small business owners often find themselves stretched too thin and struggling to keep up with the rapidly growing demands of their businesses. Below are a few real working strategies on how to streamline your organization’s processes and manage your time effectively.

Do you have any tips for other business owners out there on ways to stay healthy as a small business owner? Share your experiences and thoughts on this issue to help other small business owners who might be feeling overwhelmed!

5 Tips to Stay Healthy When Starting Your Own Business

Thrive Global
August 27, 2019
If you’re already running your own business, you know how demanding it can be — 41% of small business owners surveyed by Bank of America said that managing their business was their No. 1 stressor. In fact, entrepreneurship was found to be four times more stressful than raising children.

"With online sales, reservations and job postings now a huge part of modern commerce, advocates for the disabled say websites need to be as accessible to everyone, just as brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants and schools are... For a website to be accessible to disabled people, the content must be coded so that screen-reading software can convert the words to an audio translation. Video that appears on a website must include descriptions for the deaf. Also, all interactive functions must be operable through keyboard commands for people who can’t use a mouse."

Is your small business's website ADA compliant? Have you been targeted by ADA lawsuits? Share your experiences and thoughts on this issue to help other small business owners who might be considering how to handle this issue!

Lawsuits targeting business website over ADA violations are on the rise

LA Times
November 11, 2018
Nearly 10,000 ADA lawsuits were filed against businesses for alleged website violations in 2018. This can end up costing small business owners tens of thousands of dollars. "With online sales, reservations and job postings now a huge part of modern commerce, advocates for the disabled say websites need to be as accessible to everyone, just as brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants and schools are... For a website to be accessible to disabled people, the content must be coded so that screen-reading software can convert the words to an audio translation. Video that appears on a website must include descriptions for the deaf. Also, all interactive functions must be operable through keyboard commands for people who can’t use a mouse."

What Are the Best Government Small Business Loans?

Nav
July 15, 2019
Business financing comes in many forms, but for some small business owners, government small business loans offer the most benefits. These loans are backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and issued by approved lenders, like banks and credit unions.

Please share your thoughts on Kathy's journey and whether you believe the advice given in the article can help other entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs grow their business.

Start A Business. Save Your Life - Like This Million-Dollar Entrepreneur

Forbes
June 30, 2019
Kathy Goughenour still remembers the shock she felt when, after following a supervisor’s advice and getting an MBA in marketing so she could get promoted, he told her the “real reason” she wasn't going to move ahead: “You laugh and smile too much.”

Cracking the Code on Cutting Costs and Increasing Profitability as a Solopreneur

Small Business Trends
June 17, 2019
Solopreneurship is about as small as a small business gets. As a solopreneur, you don’t just run an entire business, you are the business. This means you are the CEO, accountant, manager, marketer, and what have you. Or, simply put, you wear all the hats.

Want a better company culture? Create a smarter workspace

Forbes
May 20, 2019
There’s so much more to the office than simply being a place where we work. It’s also where we celebrate, collaborate, connect and grow in our organizations. Within these walls, outstanding company cultures are made.

In this week's article, Salesforce research spurs discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities available to small and medium-sized businesses. Do you agree with the results discussed in the article or with the research Salesforce conducted? Let us know!

Salesforce Research Reveals The Challenges And Opportunities Facing SMBs

Forbes
May 7, 2019
Kicking off National Small Business Week, Salesforce Research has released a new report entitled “Small & Medium Business Trends.” The third installment of its kind, this special report shares the perspectives, challenges, and goals of close to 2,000 business owners from around the world.

Three Creative Ways to Acquire Your First Customers

Entrepreneur
April 23, 2019
Acquiring your first customers is a pivotal moment in any entrepreneur's journey -- and it's also a huge challenge. These three entrepreneurs got creative when it came to getting that first sale, realizing that no market is too small, and no hurdle is too large.

Creating the Perfect Story for your Brand: 20 Qualities to Help You Get There

Small Business Trends
April 15, 2019
If you want to form connections with customers and clients, having a great brand story is key.
Brand stories allow people to identify with your brand and care about it.
A brand story is the inspiring narrative of your business — it includes your struggles, successes, and mission.
A brand story should not only present facts but also evoke feelings.

Take Advantage of Overlooked Business Deductions – Read These 10 Suggestions
Small Business Trends
March 29, 2019
Business owners know that most of their expenses are deductible. But it might surprise you to learn how many leave money on the table by not claiming all allowable write-offs.